MAKE IT YOUR MISSION to Heal and Care for Veterans
As a physician, dentist, or podiatrist, you have more than a job – you have a mission to serve Veterans who’ve borne the battle with honor. In carrying out this mission, you’ll discover a career with competitive pay, opportunities for growth and mobility, a wealth of benefits and rich rewards.
Published Date: July 2022
Total Reward$ of a VA Career Physicians, Dentists, and Podiatrists
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As a physician, dentist, or podiatrist at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, you have more than a job you have a mission to serve Veterans who’ve borne the battle with honor.
5 Career and Growth Opportunities
1 Mission
Rest easy knowing that VA has you and your family’s insurance needs covered. Insurance coverage may follow you into retirement after 5 years of vested service and maintaining FEHB in the 5 years leading up to retirement (conditions apply).
6 For the Total Rewards
3 Coverage
2 Compensation
Earn competitive compensation as you pursue excellence in health care for Veterans.
4 Retirement Benefits
Earn an amazing retirement package including a traditional (defined benefit) federal pension, a defined 401(k) type Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with employer matched contributions, and Social Security.
Start your career at VA and benefit from opportunities to build your skills and career path.
As a physician, dentist, or podiatrist you serve with dedicated professionals and are awarded with a strong support system, superior work life balance, and countless career growth and assignment options.
CHOOSE VA
Clinical and administrative support that allows you to focus on providing health care to Veterans Spend more time with grateful patients and less time on administrative tasks High patient acuity/complexity
your start as a physician, dentist, or podiatrist all the way through to retirement you receive a total rewards package that adds to the satisfaction of a career based on giving back to those who have given so much to the nation.
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Opportunity to lead interdisciplinary teams or Patient Aligned Care Teams (PACT)
With VA’s integrated system, employees are free to explore new areas of career development and pursue opportunities anywhere within VA. Physicians, Dentists, and Podiatrists receive unparalleled opportunities to enjoy the science of medicine and grow as professionals by advancing their education, mentor and be mentored, become a principal investigator or move into executive Fromroles.
Visit www.VAcareers.va.gov for more information.
Minimal outpatient on call
11 federal holidays
Guaranteed salary with frequent pay increases (not driven by RVUs or other performance metrics)
At VA you will enjoy these perks #WorkatVA
1 active and unrestricted license allows you to practice at any VA nationwide site of care
Take a closer look…
No employment contracts, restrictive covenants, or non compete clauses
No moonlighting restrictions
VA’s culture is defined through a set of core values, ICARE: integrity, commitment, advocacy, respect and excellence. VA is the leader in telehealth and offers state of the art tools including speech recognition capabilities, mobile devices and renowned knowledge based resources.
MISSION
At VA, you are a part of a dynamic team of thousands of professionals helping provide high quality healthcare to our Nation’s Veterans. As a VA physician, dentist, or podiatrist you have more than a job you have a mission to serve approximately 9 million Veterans who’ve borne the battle with honor in over 1,293 sites of care.
Performance Pay. Your compensation includes additional annual performance pay up to 7.5% of annual salary up to a max of $15,000.
Social Security paid by VA = 6.2% of taxable wages on behalf of the employee. If an individual has taxable wages over the taxable maximum of $147,000, VA will contribute $9,114 Employee Assistance Program (EAP) = free legal and medical services Medicare paid by VA = 1.45% on behalf of the employee
Earn a competitive total reward$ package as you pursue excellence in healthcare for Veterans.
Life Insurance = VA pays 1/3 of insurance cost for basic life insurance
VA Paid Benefits
Service Without Strings. Whether you serve full or part time, your employment at VA is without employment contracts, noncompete clauses, restrictive covenants or other significant restrictions on outside work.
Regular Salary Increases. Receive annual increases when signed into federal law (as of 2022, the 5 year average was 1.72%), biennial within grade or “step” longevity increases, and market pay increases due to additional credentials, promotions, or local labor market changes (reviews done biennially).
Competitive Salaries. At VA, you receive a salary (base pay + market pay) based on your years of VHA service, local labor market salaries, duty location, and other factors.
Transit Benefit Program. You may qualify for transit subsidy monthly benefits of a max of $280/month; check with your local VA Medical Center (conditions apply).
Liability Protection. VA healthcare providers are covered under federal tort laws and may be defended by the United States against allegations of malpractice or negligence (38 USC 7316).
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COMPENSATION
Thrift Savings Plan Federal 401(k) = VA provides up to 5% employer contributions (1% automatic contribution and up to 4% employer matching contributions)
Flexible Spending Account (FSA) = you may contribute up to $2,850 a year to your health care FSA with a $570 max carry over and save up to 30% on dependent care expenses
Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS) = f or employees hired after 1/1/2014, VA contributes 16.6% annually to FERS FRAE basic/defined benefit traditional pension
This Total Reward$ sample is a generalized report reflecting the potential monetized value of a full VA compensation package.
Average Salary $ 275,000 $ 220,000 $ 172,000
*This calculation is a sample only and does not constitute a contract of employment or a guarantee of benefits or future emplo yment. Certain elements vary and are based on specific circumstances. Estimates above do not include the potential for up to $40,000 annually (maximum of $200,000)
Life Insurance = VA pays 1/3 of insurance cost for basic life insurance
Medicare paid by VA = 1.45% on behalf of the employee
Direct Compensation Physician Dentist Podiatrist
SAMPLE
Value of combined paid time off $ 52,707 $ 42, 166 $ 32,966
Federal Employee Retirement System $ 45,650 $ 36,520 $ 28,552 Education Debt Reduction Program (conditions apply, $40k max/yr.) $______ $_______ $ ______
Transit Benefit Program. You may qualify for transit subsidy monthly benefits of a max of $280/month; check with your local VA Medical Center (conditions apply).
Compensation + Benefits = Your Total Reward$*
Potential Physician Performance Pay (conditions apply/ 7.5% of salary up to $15,000 max benefit) $ 15,000 $15,000 $ 12,900 CME Reimbursement (conditions apply) $ 1,000 $ 1,000 $ 1,000
Direct Compensation + Value of Paid Leave + Benefits = Overall Annual Total Reward$* $ 428,4595 $ 350,095 $ 279,604
Take time off. At VA, you start your career with 50 days of paid time off each year. Paid vacation, unlimited accumulated paid sick leave and 11 paid federal holidays accrue right away. See page 11 for more details on leave.
Total Rewards of Benefits Provided by VA Health Insurance Premium Subsidy $ 11,024 $ 11,024 $ 11,024
Total Reward$ of a VA Career as Physician, Dentist, or Podiatrist worksheet
Sample Annual Total Reward$ Worksheet | Full time Employee*
Basic Life Insurance $ 726 $ 581 $ 454
Let’s do the math!
FSAFEDS Flexible Spending Account = you may contribute up to $2,850 a year to your health care FSA with a $570 max carry over and save up to 30% on dependent care expenses
in student loan reimbursement, Permanent Change of Station (PCS) relocation allowance, recruitment, retention, and relocation incentives, the value of free liability coverage and other payments and incentives. Paid leave is not an additional payment but is a value of your paid time off included in your annual salary based on an 8 hour day. If your service includes part time calculations, your total rewards and benefits will be proportionally prorated. For more information, please see www.opm.gov By law, VA physicians’ annual compensation cannot exceed the president’s, which is $400,000 per year.
Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS) = for employees after 1/1/2014, VA contributes 16.6% annually to FERS FRAE basic/defined benefit
Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP). As physician, dentist, or podiatrist you may be eligible to apply for EDRP. If approved, you may be eligible to receive reimbursement for your student loan payments up to $40,000 a year for up to 5 years.
Thrift Savings Plan Federal 401(k) (employer contributions) $ 13,750 $ 11,000 $ 8,600
Social Security paid by VA = 6.2% of taxable wages on behalf of the employee. If an individual has taxable wages over the taxable maximum of $147,000, VA will contribute $9,114
Paid Parental Leave. VA provides up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child for employees covered by Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provisions. See page 11 for more details on leave.
Total Value of Personal Paid Time Off*
Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) Federal 401(k) = VA provides up to 5% employer matched/automated contributions to your savings plan
Social Security $ 9,114 $ 9,114 $ 9,114 Medicare $ 3,988 $ 3,190 $ 2,494 Employee Assistance Program (EAP) $ 500 $ 500 $ 500
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) = free legal and medical services
Life insurance. Plan for what’s next with Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI), which is group term life insurance covering you and eligible family members. Receive this benefit with no physical exam if you elect to enroll within 60 days of being hired and get coverage that applies from your start date and continues into retirement.
Health Insurance. With Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB), choose from a variety of self or family health maintenance organizations or fee for service health plans that all cover pre existing conditions. Your spouse and children under age 26 are eligible, as are children regardless of age who are unable to support themselves. VA pays up to 75% of health premiums, a benefit that can continue into retirement (conditions apply). Your portion of the premium is taken on a pretax basis unless you opt out.
Parental Leave. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) provides up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child for employees covered by Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provisions applicable to federal civilian employees.
COVERAGE
Rest easy knowing that VA has you and your family’s needs covered.
Plans can be adjusted during annual open season from November December. Start flexible, tax free spending accounts for up to $2,850 in medical expenses for individuals and up to $5,000 in dependent care expenses.
Insurance coverage may follow you into retirement after 5 years of vested service and maintaining FEHB in the 5 years leading up to retirement (conditions apply).
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Long- term care. Under the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program, VA physicians, dentists, and podiatrists can access long term care coverage for home care, adult day care and facility care. You may be eligible to apply for long term care insurance even if you’re not enrolled in the FEHB Program.
Long- term disability coverage. Become eligible for disability retirement benefits after 18 months of vested service.
Dental and vision insurance. Under the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP), supplemental dental and/or vision benefits are available to you and your family, including children up to age 22. FEDVIP coverage may continue into retirement for physicians enrolled as employees.
Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) . As a physician, dentist, or podiatrist you may be eligible to apply for EDRP. If approved, you may be eligible to receive reimbursement for your student loan payments up to $40,000 a year for up to 5 years.
In- person and virtual training. VA leads in clinical simulation training, with dedicated experts and state of the art resources to support the learning needs of VA staff across over 171 VA medical centers and more than 1,293 sites of care.
Dr. Sean P. Winfrey VA Physician ”
“ VA’s Education Debt Reduction Program is an incredible benefit that allows me to serve Veterans and pay off my student loans at the same time.
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Start your career at VA and benefit from opportunities to build your skills throughout your tenure to meet your career aspirations.
Student Loan Reimbursement
VA conducts the largest education and training effort for health professionals in the United States. The physician education program is conducted in collaboration with 147 Liaison Clinical Medical Education accredited allopathic medical schools and 35 American Osteopathic Association accredited medical schools. Undergraduate and graduate medical education have a major impact on the healthcare workforce in VA, with roughly 64% of physicians participating in VA training programs prior to employment.
CAREER AND GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES
Continuing education. VA is the nation’s leading provider of continuing medical education (CME) credits and hours. As a VA physician, dentist, or podiatrist, you can earn CME credits at no cost. If you’re full time, you may receive $1,000 or more annually and authorized absence to attend CME courses (conditions apply).
Leadership skills development. VA provides a competitive, three tiered continuum of leadership development at the local, network, and national levels for employees with the potential and desire to serve in leadership positions.
BENEFITS
Get ready for VA service with employer matched Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) Federal 401(k), a pension, and Social
Don’t worry as a VA employee, you may carry over service time that is added to your total years of work for retirement purposes. This may increase your retirement pension payments (conditions apply).
Lifetime payments at retirement and deferred benefits after 5 years of service to use at retirement
*Conditions apply. Seep pages 9 10 for more information and www.opm.gov/retirement services/fers information 8
Defined Benefit Pension:
Survivor benefits. Become eligible for survivor benefit plan after 10 years of vested service.
Security.FederalEmployees
TSP Federal 401(k): Portable, transferrable, and low cost
Have you earned credits from your time in service?military
Retirement System.* Earn a generous Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS) pension after 5 years of vested service to VA through the basic/defined benefit retirement plan.
Social Security: Portable with lifetime payments at retirement
RETIREMENTFERS*
Long- term disability and death benefits. Become eligible for disability retirement benefits (similar to long term disability insurance coverage) and employee death benefits after 18 months of vested service.
MoreTSP
Catch up at midcareer. If you’re age 50 or older, grow TSP beyond the maximum with additional “catch up” contributions of up to $6,500 or more per year* for a total potential contribution of $27,000. Catch up ceilings are regularly increased so check the TSP website for the latest information.
Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) Federal 401(k)
Employer matching. Earn VA contributions right away. VA makes an automatic contribution of 1% of your salary into your TSP fund. VA also matches contributions dollar for dollar on the first 3% of your salary and 50 cents on the dollar for the next 2% of your salary, for a total of up to 5% in employer contributions.
Low cost, choice based investing. TSP features matching funds, tax treatment options (pretax traditional/after tax Roth), investment choices and portability so you control how much you contribute and where to invest. TSP annual administration fees (total expense ratio) are roughly 10 times lower than industry averages at .055% for every $1,000 invested versus the industry average of roughly .58% for every $1,000 invested.** That’s more money in your pocket to use when you retire.
Compounded annual rate of return
Vesting. When you’re “vested,” you have ownership of contributions they are yours to take with you, into the next job or retirement. You are automatically vested in your own contributions and VA’s matching contributions from day one of VA employment. Employees are vested in the 1% automatic contribution after 3 years of VA service.
savings. TSP lets you contribute up to $20,500* a year to your account.
Plan for a comfortable life after federal service with TSP and compound interest Invest $20,500 annually toward retirement and see your savings stack up!
Grow retirement funds by supplementing your pension, Social Security and other savings with
TSP
Fees: $462 Industry Fees: $4,620 Keep more of your investment with low TSP investment fees!.055% fee .58% Annualfee% Annual fee 9
$20,500 ANNUALLY AT 20 YEARS AT 30 YEARS AT 40 YEARS Compounded by 7% assumed annual rate of return $840,408 $1,936,466 $4,092,520 *indicates the 2022 amount and may increase in future years. **https://www.tsp.gov/tsp basics/administrative and investment expenses/ **https://www.investopedia.com/thrift savings plan vs 5212330#:~:text=The%20total%20expense%20ratio%2C%20which,to%20the%20administrator%20every%20year401-k-$840,408Accountvalueexampleafter20years
Basic/Defined Pension
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Under age 62 benefit is 1% of the highest 3 years of average salary for each year of service (conditions apply) 62 or older with 20+ years of service benefits is calculated at 1.1% of the highest 3 years average salary for each year of service.
Age
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• 30
Benefits Defined
The information above is expressed in current dollars and based on the average salary of a VA physician, dentist, or podiatrist. Many different factors impact pension amounts; for instance, unused sick leave extends your creditable service time on a day for day basis. Review your specific situation with a VA recruiter and follow the links in the resources section for more information. 10
1Example •
•
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• 1%
EXAMPLE PENSIONANNUAL 2Example $82,500$102,300
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Under age 62 the employee must have met t heir Minimum Retirement Age (MRA) between age 55 57 and they must have worked at least 10 years or greater under a retirement plan.
Under the federal retirement system, your future pension benefits are funded through an automatic 4.4% deduction from your salary and an 16.6% matching contribution from VA each pay period. After retirement, monthly pension annuity payments are distributed for life.
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3 salary EXAMPLE PENSIONANNUAL 2Example $60,000$76,725
Podiatrist
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1Example •
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•
•
EXAMPLE PENSIONANNUAL 2Example $93,775$75,000
Become vested in the FERS Basic/Defined Benefit pension after only 5 years of creditable civilian service.
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Physician Age 62 or older 1.1% benefit 63 years old 31 years of VA service $275,000 average high 3 salary Under age 62 1% benefit 60 years old 30 years of VA service $250,000 average high 3 salary
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The examples below illustrates calculations for annual VA pension for full - time employees ( not including 401k/TSP payments) using various retirement age and years of service combinations for salaries that align with physician, dentist, and podiatrist occupations. Age 62 or older 1. 1% benefit 63 years old 31 years of VA service $300,000 average high 3 salary Under age 62 1% benefit 60 years old 30 years of VA service $275,000 average high 3 salary
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•
1Example • Under
• $200,000
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•
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Dentist Age 62 or older 1. 1% benefit 63 years old 31 years of VA service $225,000 average high 3 salary age 62 benefit years old years of VA service average high
Age Defined
•
FERS
Generous pension
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• 60
• 24/7 access to and follow up with professional counselors.
Spend time with family and friends with paid leave
Military Leave 15 days Prorated
**The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) provides up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child for employees covered by Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provisions applicable to federal civilian employees.
Relocate with ease. Applying for work at another VA? You won’t typically lose accumulated paid leave, benefits, or pay by transferring from one VA position to another VA position. However, please note, that locality is a key component of the physician, dentist, and podiatrist pay setting process; the market pay portion of physicians, dentists, and podiatrist salaries goes up or down depending on relocation area, but base pay stays the same.
Annual Leave 26 days 1 hour for every 10 hours worked
Sick Leave Max Carryover Unlimited Unlimited
*Part time employees are entitled to federal holidays that fall on days employees would otherwise be required to work or take leave. This does not include overtime work.
Work anywhere. With 1 full and unrestricted active U.S. license, you can work at any of the 1,293 VA sites of care or by the beach, in a city or in the countryside and take your benefits with you. Apply for an open position at VA facilities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, and the Philippines.
Leave Category Full Time Part Time
Federal Holidays 11 days 11 days*
Sick Leave 13 days 1 hour for every 20 hours worked
Take time off. Because you’re in high demand as a VA physician, dentist, or podiatrist, you start your career in the highest available leave tier, which provides 50 days of paid time off each year. Paid vacation, unlimited accumulated paid sick leave and 11 paid federal holidays accrue right away.
Paid Parental Leave** 12 weeks
REWARD$TOTALAVAcareeroffersyouabalanced,flexibleworkenvironmentfocused on your unique needs.
• Counseling on legal, financial, child and elder care, mental health, identity theft and wellness issues.
At VA you can…
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Military Leave Maximum Balance 30 days Prorated
• Internal and external tools on EAP services.
Receive assistance. Under VA’s Employment Assistance Program (EAP), get free, short term counseling and other services to cope with the stresses of life and other issues. EAP includes:
Prorated (Must work at least 1,250 hours per year)
• Community resources and referrals.
Annual Leave Max Carryover 86 days 240 hours
Medical insurance
Prescription plans
One full unrestricted license employment contracts, restrictive covenants, or compete clauses admin support Coverage Compensation Security & Welfare
Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) 401(k)
Tuition Reimbursement On t he job training
Limited Expense Health Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
Worker’s
Health Care Flexible Spending Account
No
*Please note, certain elements vary and are based on specific facility circumstances, eligibility requirements, availability, and are not a guarantee of benefits.
Appreciation
Medicare H ealth
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
Attendance at outside conferences and seminars (virtual and in person) VA simulation training VA Leadership skills development
VA TOTAL REWARD$ INVENTORY A VA career offers you numerous benefits and rewards, take a closer look at your potential inventory of total reward$. Compensation Competitive Salaries Weekend/Holiday Pay* Transit Benefit Program* Pay for Time Not Worked Vacation (Annual Leave) Sick Leave Military Leave Paid Parental Leave Family Medical Leave Shared Leave Programs Recruitment & Retention Incentives* Performance Bonus* Referral Bonus* Recruitment/Hiring Incentives* Retention Bonus* Work life Work anywhere at over 1,293 VA sites of care Receive assistance through VA’s Employment Assistance Program (EAP) All Employee Survey Flexibility/AlternativeWorkplace Work Arrangements* Alternative work sites Telecommuting Virtual Desk sharing Part time employment Intermittent employment Telehealth/Telemedicine Health & Wellness On site fitness centers/gyms* Employee Wellness Disaster Relief Programs* Diversity/Inclusion Initiatives Federal Women’s Program Benefits
Development & Career Opportunities
24/7 access to multiple web ba sed catalogs, filled with diverse online training options for career growth career pa t hways
Peer
Promotional
Short term/Long term Disability Insurance Care Program* RetirementEmployees(FERS)Plan
Retirement
Survivor Benefits Death Benefits
Clinical residency/fellow and hea lth professions trainee programs Education D ebt Reduction Programs Clinical Scholarship & E ducation Programs
Credit for Military Service* Social Security
Liability
Retirement Federal
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Clinical
Dental insurance plan (add)
Life Insurance Spouse/dependent Life Insurance
Child
Performance & Recognition
Employee
Performance reviews and evaluations Service Awards Awards recognition programs suggestion programs programs
non
I nsurance Social
Vision insurance plan (add)
CHOOSEVA RESOURCESBenefits,Education, and Employment Incentives
Education support: https://www.vacareers.va.gov/Benefits/EducationSupport Employment benefits: https://www.vacareers.va.gov/Benefits/EmploymentBenefits Federal benefits: https://www.opm.gov Hiring incentives: https://www.vacareers.va.gov/Careers/Physicians
Flexible spending accounts primer: http://www.opm.gov/healthcare insurance/flexible spending accounts
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Federal health benefits: http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/index.asp
Federal insurance frequently asked questions: http://www.opm.gov/healthcare insurance/insurance faqs
Federal health benefits comparison tools: https://www.opm.gov/healthcare insurance
Liability protection https://www.vacareers.va.gov/Benefits/EmploymentBenefits/#insuranceexplained:
Social Security Retirement Estimator: https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/estimator.html
Life insurance: http://www.opm.gov/healthcare insurance/life insurance Dental/vision: http://www.opm.gov/healthcare insurance/dental vision
Insurance
Retirement benefits: http://www.opm.gov/retirement services/fers information
Retirement
Long term care: http://www.opm.gov/healthcare insurance/long term care
Coverage
Estimate future pension benefits at OPM’s Federal Ballpark Estimate: https://www.opm.gov/retirement services/calculators/federal ball park estimator/ Thrift Savings Plan: https://www.tsp.gov/index.html